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In order to rein in the debt, we will need to cut spending and generate revenue. First all discretionary spending needs to be minimized, then all other elements of the budget need to be addressed-each and everyone. I agree with sustaining the BTCs for those making less than 250K. Letting the TCs expire for those higher earners could help supply needed revenue. Medicare is a hot topic- The Medicare Advantage program needs to go-it's too expensive, adds another layer of costs and offers little bang for the buck- Every budget, item by item, line by line- which, of course, takes time, personnel and money.

Medicare is necessary, unemployment is necessary (we pay into it, some for 30-40-50 years, so it's a deserved return), PA keeps children from starving, so let's see that leaves corporate entitlement... Well makes sense to get rid of that don't ya think?

Medicare is necessary in some form but everyone knows (whether they admit it or not) that the government program is riddled with red tape and waste. I say look at moving it more into the States hands, giving the elderly stipends to assist in buying their own insurance and following through with sane health reform. I for one am not of the school of thought that Americans, young or old are stupid. They can buy auto insurance, they can buy health insurance. Unemployment is fine but NOT for 99 weeks. If we get a stranglehold on the government we will not have instances like the one we have now where people will be out of jobs for years.

There are only 3 biggies that will have any impact on our debt: social security, medicare and medicaid. I'm all for making cuts, as long as EVERYONE takes them, and that the debt actually gets reduced, rather than the $ just getting reshuffled.
1) Social security was sold as a retirement program. The average life expectancy was a lot lower then too. Social security should be stopped for all young people entering the workforce. For those who have paid into the system, they should get money back when they retire (maybe at 70?). However, spouses and children should not be able to receive benefits for the primary worker, that was not part of the original system and is killing us.
2) Medicare (for the elderly) is a tough one, honestly no answers here. Sorry
3) Medicaid is welfare. I'm against most forms of welfare. I worked in a inner city shelter for years, and can honestly say it doesn't work. Creates more poverty.

unemployment is necessary (we pay into it, some for 30-40-50 years, so it's a deserved return),

You do not pay into unemployment. Unemployment is a savings fund that collects funds from companies, not individuals, and you are only entitled to any of those funds if you meet very specific criteria. You can work 50 years and never once be qualified for unemployment if you spend that entire 50 years working part time, doing contract work, or being fired for bad attendance. It is not an "entitlement", because nobody is automatically entitled to it. It's not like medicaid which is available unconditionally to anyone below a certain income level or medicare, available unconditionally to anyone above a certain age.

Why can't we untie Medicare and Social Security from each other? There are seniors that want what they paid in to SS, but don't need Medicare. How about allowing them to opt for a lesser amount if they can afford it and want to. Instead of Medicare why not just expand Tricare...clean it up in the process though.

MidwestMama55 makes some great points. SS should just be for the people that earned it and there should be an end to it. People need to be responsible for themselves. They won't if there is a safety net for everything.

Sisteract, I agree...corp welfare needs to come to an end. They could take a small amount of those funds and use them to reduce employment taxes...some places see as much as 50% for each employee. It would help ME as I grow and create more jobs.